Grapevine Texas: Sculpture, Historic Trains, and More

With a name like Grapevine, focusing on wine is a natural. But there’s also a lovely historic center, a historic train depot, and and, an artist-in-residence, sculptor Archie St. Clair, whose art graces the streets and adds a touch of history and whimsy to an already charming town.

Grapevine Sculpture

Grapevine has deliberately cultivated a culture of art, and their passionate commitment to art in public spaces is amply demonstrated along Main Street. Many of these pieces celebrate the people of early Grapevine. One of the favorites is the Sidewalk Judge by Archie St. Clair. This bronze piece recreates one of the quirky characters of the town. In this case, a man who was the unofficial people watcher and judgement-maker from the 1920s and 1930s. He sits on a bench in front of the replica of the Wallis Hotel and is often seen posing patiently with tourists.

Sunday Skaters and Muttin is another charming piece – three skaters with the old strap on roller skates have been frozen in time. Two skate down the street while the third has lost his skate and is sitting on the ground, watched by the dog, Muttin. Modeled on actual children from years ago, it reminds visitors of the history of the town and the people who lived there, and still do. Muttin, too, is a real character, once belonging to Jim Daniel, one of Grapevine’s dedicated watchmen. The sculpture was created by Archie St. Clair.

As you pass city hall, look up. The old Night Watchman with his lamp held high still looks over the town. Although the watchmen stopped patrolling the streets in the 1950s, Grapevine likes to cherish the people in its history. Local sculptor Jack Bryant crafted this piece.

Historic District

Grapevine has rebuilt its historic district. All new buildings must be stylistically consistent with the original town’s architecture, and some are actual replications of once-existing buildings. It’s proven so popular that some new buildings outside of the historic zone choose to continue the architecture. The Palace Theatre built in 1940 is now a community performing arts venue.

Train Depot

The train depot is itself a destination (and a good reason to walk through the historic district). Scouting the area you’ll discover a train turntable, a vintage railroad engine and caboose. And Puffy - a steam engine from the 1890s along with Puffy’s tender. Steam Engine 771 is a little news – from the 1900s – and will soon be renovated. You can also ride one of the vintage trains to Fort Worth Stockyards, spend some time exploring this cowboy town, and ride the train back to the historic depot at Grapevine. When Puffy is out of commission, there’s a 1950s engine that used on the Grapevine- Fort Worth trips.

You also need to stop by Archie St. Clair’s studio. Very likely you’ll be invited in to watch him at work, or see the models he uses as he creates some of his larger-than-life sculptures. Vetro glassblowers are next door. Their works are luminescent.

Flight Crew Memorial

Grapevine, with its ties to Dallas/Fort Worth airport (actually located within Grapevine), saw the memorials to those who died in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and noted that there was one valiant group unrepresented. Flight crews, truly the first responders. Seven years and $6 million later, on July 4th, 2008 the sculpture named Valor, Commitment, Dedication was dedicated at 1000 Texan Trail. Visit the memorial, and the next time you fly into Dallas/Fort Worth airport, look down and see it from above. Learn more at 911FlightCrewMemorial.org

Founders’ Plaza

Due south from the memorial, the city of Grapevine has created an Airplane Observation Area, complete with sheltered picnic tables, free viewers and a piped in audio from the control tower. There’s also another of the Grapevine sculptures this one called Share the Dream by artist Dennis Smith. It depicts children romping in the fields adjacent the airport. It was presented to the Airport by AMR/American Airlines Foundation to commemorate the Airport's 25th Anniversary.

If You Go
Main Street Bistro & Bakery is a local favorite and for good reasons – muffins, scones, croissants, soup in a bread loaf and more. Visit Willhoite’s Restaurant, with truly historic funky atmosphere. The name Willhoite's came from one of the owners of the garage business which once occupied the premises. The old pumps are still outside, but come on in – it’s a friendly bar and restaurant with a buffet located where the car pit used to be. Stop by Tolberts for their signature chili.
There’s plenty of places to stay in and around Grapevine, all the major chains are represented in the area. We stayed at the Hilton DFW Lakes. In addition to very comfortable rooms and amenities, and friendly staff there’s 90 acres of woods, hiking trails, a small lake, tennis courts and more. In the same area is the Gaylord Texan. Like the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, the Texan is an enclosed themed environment with restaurants, bars, shopping and more indoors, arranged around garden paths, miniature railroads, a scaled-down and a RiverWalk. There’s also that family fun place, Great Wolf Lodge with its gigantic indoor waterpark (for guests only) and family rooms that will delight children complete with their own “den.” Finally, there is what might be the finest airport hotel in the country. The Grand Hyatt DFW in located within Terminal D has gorgeous rooms with truly sound-dampening technology and a roof-top swimming pool as highlights.

For more information visit: GrapevineTexasUSA.com